Public Statements

Berkley: State Aid Package will Fund 1,200 Nevada Education Jobs

Statement

Congresswoman Shelley Berkley today said initial estimates show Nevada will receive funding for approximately 1,200 education jobs under legislation now pending in the House. The Congresswoman will return next week to Congress from Nevada to vote in favor of H.R. 1586, The Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act, which includes $10 billion in funding to hire and save the jobs of 140,000 teachers nationwide.

"The funding for Nevada included in this bill will keep teachers in Clark County classrooms on the job and educating our students. Also included is money for Metro and other law enforcement agencies to keep families safe and funding for Medicaid to provide healthcare for low-income Las Vegas Valley residents, seniors and the disabled. While unemployment remains a top issue, this economic lifeline for Nevada will create 1,200 new jobs and provide resources for communities to fund teacher, police, firefighter and nursing positions. I will be proud to cast my vote in Congress next week for this important legislation that is so vital to Southern Nevada and the families I represent," said Berkley.

Berkley voted to pass the state assistance bill twice last year and for funding to keep teachers on the job in December 2009 and again this spring. The House is expected to again approve the emergency state aid package on Tuesday of next week. The Department of Education estimates that Nevada will be able to fund approximately 1,200 teacher positions using the resources allocated in the bill. The financial resources will help prevent layoffs as students prepare to return to school in the fall. Also included in the bill are resources for communities to protect the jobs of police and other first responders and for the Medicaid program which provides healthcare to low-income families, children and the disabled.